How To Work With A Manual Tile Cutter

24th August 2020

How to use a manual tile cutter

How to work correctly during construction and finishing work with ceramic tiles?

Need to:

Be neat;
Think carefully about every step;
Use special cutting attachments.

You need to cut the tiles with a special tile cutter, a feature of which is the presence of a sharp cutter. As a rule, it is installed diamond, as it is a more durable and wear-resistant material. In order to carry out the cut, it is necessary to lay the blade on the base of the device so that the blade does not sway during the cut, and the cut is not made according to the previously drawn mowing line.

over, the device is perfect for home use. It is worth noting that handheld equipment has a number of advantages over an electric tool. It is small and much easier to handle. In addition, it is considered the safest.

Instructions: how to use a tile cutter, 3 main rules. Safety rules when working with the tool

Each tool has its own safety, which must be observed in order to exclude unpleasant consequences, such as deformation of the phalanges of the fingers and the like.

Safety regulations:

Before direct work, it is imperative to carry out a thorough inspection of the tool for malfunctions, since this is what can cause both breakage and an accident.
Before cutting the tiles, you need to do a couple of idle movements to make sure they are smooth and free of jolts.
Pay attention to the tubular guides, which should be as clean as possible. It is especially important that they are free of dirt. If there is contamination, then it is necessary to eliminate them, as well as traces of the solution with which the treatment is carried out. To make the operation of the device as efficient as possible, it is worth doing the processing of parts with machine oil.
It is necessary to inspect the cutting disc itself, since it should be in perfect condition, not bent, but rotation without fluctuations and along one axis. There should be no difficulties and obstacles in rotation, as well as additional whistle.
To avoid injury, you should wear special glasses and gloves.
Experts recommend checking the water supply to the disc before work, which will ensure quick work.

Cutting starts only after the blade reaches maximum speed.

Rules: how to work with a tile cutter and why you need one

Some people think that using a roller tile cutter is possible without preliminary preparation and even trivial reading of the instructions.

What can be the consequences:

Illiterately cut part of the tile.
Security breach.
Damage to health, in particular to the upper limbs.

If we consider in more detail the moment for which a tile cutter is needed, then at first glance this is the simplest device, which is not difficult to use and does not require professional special education. Hand tools are considered more convenient for use at home, since electrical ones are too difficult to work with.

Electric and manual tile cutters have the same names, but different purpose and method of operation. The only exception is the final result. An electric tool has a sharper incisor and cannot simply make a groove, as it cuts quickly and sharply. Electric cutters are either mains or battery powered, and some may look like a circular saw. In addition, when working with a power tool, there is the possibility of significant injury, since the diamond blade has too high a rotation speed.

Recommendations: how to properly cut tiles with a tile cutter

The instructions for the tile cutter do not contain special instructions on which professional training should be, and the work is carried out quickly and easily. However, it is worth following the recommendations from the manufacturer so that even such a simple moment as a tile cut is as correct as possible and without oversights.

Instructions:

The tool must be placed on a flat, stable surface. She must be solid.
It is imperative to check how sharp the cutter is, as well as the fastening strength of each element.
When cutting tiles, the order of work must be followed. Namely, on the front side of the tile, a fishing line is initially drawn along which the cut will be made. It is enough to use a pencil or marker and a ruler.
The tile is installed on the base of the tile cutter.
The tool must be set perpendicular to the working surface. To do this, you need to place a strong emphasis on the far corner of the device, and then correct the position of the canvas, be sure to take into account the mark made earlier.
It is important to remember that the reference point is taken on the central line located on the working surface of the unit.
Next, using the handle, the cutter is brought to the tile.
It should be installed on the edge of the product, the one that is closer to the master.
Then the handle is pressed firmly so that the cutter touches the tile surface. Thus, it will be sandwiched between the metal part and the rollers in the equipment.
To make a cut, it is enough to make a sharp and clear movement. Through it, a small groove is made from oneself to the opposite edge of the canvas.
After that, in order to break off the cut part of the tile, you need to press its handle and the blade will be broken along the previously drawn mowing line.

Thus, you can cut a tile and get two even parts of the product. The cutting line will be clear and without chipping, which will allow you to carry out repair work efficiently and without defects.

How to use the manual tile cutter

A manual tile cutter is used much more often than an electric one, and we are talking not only about living conditions, but also about industrial ones. At first, the process of cutting tiles may seem daunting and almost impossible, but in reality it is only required to research the instructions and safety recommendations. There are many nuances in functioning, but all of them are not difficult to remember and one should not forget about them when working. Safety rules are considered particularly important, and even more than the observance of the phased work.

How to properly cut tiles with a manual tile cutter

In order to start using a hand tool, you do not need to take any courses or receive any special training. First of all, you need to place the tool on a perfectly flat surface and, very importantly, a hard surface. Then it is necessary to check the sharpness of the cutter and how firmly all the main elements of the operating tool were fixed.

So, the tile needs to be cut according to the following instructions. At the same time, it is very important to follow the order in order to complete the work efficiently and quickly. How to use the tile cutter, you can also learn in more detail from the topic posted on our website.

On the front side of the tile, you need to draw a cut line. To do this, use a sharp pencil or marker, do not forget about the ruler.
After that, you need to bring the tile to the surface of the manual tile cutter, which is called the working.
Position the instrument clearly perpendicularly. To do this, you need to rest hard enough on the far side of the tile cutter, and then carefully adjust the position of the tile used, taking into account the marks that you made on its surface in advance. At the same time, do not forget that you need to focus on the central line, which is located at the base of the tool.
Use the handle to guide the cutter to the tile. It must be installed on the very edge of the product on the side that is closer to you.
After that, you need to press down hard enough on the handle so that the cutter can touch the tile. Thus, the tile must be pressed down with the metal part and the cutter rollers.
Then, with just one movement, which should be quite sharp and clear, you need to draw a small furrow from you to the extreme edge of the tile you are cutting.
In the end, in order to break the tile being processed, you need to slightly press the handle and the tile will break directly along the mowing line that you cut.

Thus, with the help of a manual tile cutter, you can get two pieces of tiles of the size you need, which will have perfectly flat and incredibly neat edges in the place of the break.

Devices and principle of operation of a manual tile cutter

The most important feature of this tool is that it has an incredibly sharp incisor. As a rule, a diamond cutter is used, which has the same principle of operation as a simple cutter. For correct and complete operation, it is necessary to install the processed tile directly on the base of the device. To ensure that the tile does not wobble and can be easily and evenly cut, there is a pressure part at the bottom of the manual tile cutter, which allows you to firmly fix the tile.

On this clamping part of the tool there is a cutter and several rollers that allow the tile cutter to move along the surface of the material. There is also a small handle on the carriage. It is she who is responsible for the different force of the onslaught on the tile and directly on the displacement of the cutter during operation.

Due to the fact that during the use of the tool there are no difficulties, it is very often used both in construction and in repair work that is carried out at home. A manual tile cutter has the advantage when compared to an electric tool, because it is small in size, in a short time the tool allows you to make an extremely straight cut on the tile.

If you consider that you need to cut very durable materials or too much tile, then in such a situation, a hand tool may not be enough. Of course, a huge role in this situation is played by human skills and directly by the manufacturer of this or that tool.

What is a tile cutter and why is it needed

Many people have no idea what a tile cutter is or why such a tool is needed at all. If we consider this issue in more detail, then this is the most common apparatus that allows you to quickly and accurately cut ceramic tiles. Today, both manual and electric tools are actively used in construction. It is worth noting that it is easy to cope with operation only if a manual tile cutter is used, but some difficulties may arise with the electric option.

Even if you consider that both types of instruments have the same name, they are not at all alike. The only exception, of course, is the final result of the tool. In order to be able to use a manual tile cutter, you need to make grooves with it (the unit has very sharp incisors), and then break the tile. In turn, the electric type of tile cutter works with the help of a battery or from an electrical network, and in its appearance and in the principle of operation, it may slightly resemble a circular saw. The tiles are cut with a very sharp diamond blade that has an incredibly high rotation speed.

How to use a manual tile cutter

In order to perfectly cut ceramic tiles, in most cases a hand tool is used as a tile cutter. Mostly, to use it, you do not need to have professional skills, respectively, the tool can be quite successfully used at home.

The manual tile cutter has quite a lot of positive aspects, which include simple use, as a result, a very clear cut is obtained. The handle additionally also performs the function of a lever allowing to reduce the applied forces to a minimum.

At the same time, it was not about Bosch without some negative points. For example, a manual tile cutter cannot be used very close to the edge of the tile (the allowable distance for work must be at least five millimeters).

Before starting work, you must carefully learn how to use a manual tile cutter. If you have any difficulties in this matter, then on our website you can find where all the details and nuances are indicated.

Safety rules when working with a tile cutter

In order to use the manual tile cutter it was as safe as possible and at the same time the result of the work was of high quality, you need to follow some safety rules, namely:

Before starting work, it is imperative to inspect the tool used so that you can identify all breakages and irregularities in the guides in time, then find and eliminate visible damage to the tile cutter.
You need to walk a couple of times on the tile with no load, and at the same time all movements must be smooth, without any jolts.
Do not forget to additionally check the tubular guides, they must be perfectly clean, free of dust and dirt. Remove pieces of tiles, traces of mortar from them and, as a result, lubricate with a small amount of machine oil to improve performance.
In addition, you also need to pay attention to the cutting disc itself. Its condition should be ideal, in no case bent, and rotation around the axis of the attachment should occur without any difficulties. It should be noted that during the operation of the manual tile cutter, there should also be no extraneous sounds.
In order not to get any injuries, it is best to work with special glasses and gloves.
Some experts also recommend testing the water supply on the disc, which makes the job easier.
It is necessary to start work only after the disc picks up those revolutions that can be called maximum.

A manual tile cutter has been asked by a lot of people lately how to use it correctly, but in fact there is nothing complicated in this process. Every inexperienced beginner will be able to cope with the work. If, nevertheless, you cannot cut off the piece of tile you need, then on our website you will find with the most detailed instructions that will allow you to find out all the details and nuances of this type of work. Do not forget about safety rules, because your health and, of course, safety largely depends on this.

How to use a manual tile cutter correctly?

If you decide to tile floors or walls with ceramic tiles, then it will be difficult for you to do without a special tool that allows you to cut the tiles. The biggest advantage in this regard is the manual tile cutter. It consists of the actual cutting part and the wheel, with which the material is fixed and then broken after the cut.

Manual tile cutter diagram.

Preparing the tool for work

To do this, first you need to check the strength of the wheel that will be used for cutting. It is usually attached to the main handle with a small bolt. So this bolt must be tightened so that it holds as tightly as possible, and then check if the cutting part is staggering to the sides.

Also note the sharpness of the wheel. If the cutter is not new, it may become dull. Then you will need to either sharpen it or replace it. After all, the whole principle of operation lies in the quality of such a wheel.

When you are sure that the tile cutter is in good working order, add some oil to the wheel. It can be either machine oil or ordinary vegetable oil. Its presence is necessary in order for the cutting to be smoother and more even.

Training cutting

Automatic tile cutter diagram.

After that, you can start working, but not yet the main one. In order not to spoil the new good tile, experts recommend to start with a little practice on unnecessary pieces of the same material. Mark up and try to cut a piece.

Usually it is difficult to cut a thin piece of material. As a rule, if the thickness of the piece to be cut is 7 mm or less, then it is best to use an electric jigsaw. If this is not available, then you will have to make an incision, carefully break off what happens, and then, holding the marking line with a thick metal ruler, beat off the remaining parts. It is quite natural that with such work, the edge will not be perfectly flat.

But even in such situations, there is a way out. If you have made markings on the tiles in advance and you know that you will have to work a lot with thin pieces of cut tiles, it makes sense to purchase or rent a special diamond new wheel. Due to its maximum thinness and increased strength and sharpness, you can easily cut off even a very thin piece of ceramic tile, while leaving no chipping or torn edges.

Cutting ceramic tiles with a tile cutter

Tile cutting techniques: a marking with a thickness gauge; b cutting the glaze with a chisel; c, d breaking a tile along a notch against a bar and a tile breaker.

After such a short workout, you can get to work. First, prepare the tiles themselves. Wipe it dry. After that, apply a brighter color to the cut line, and then stick a strip of masking tape directly along this mowing line. This is necessary in order to cut smoother and faster.

Then place the tile cutter on a flat, clean surface. Take a tile and fix it in the tile cutter so that the wheel and line of the cut on the markings coincide as much as possible. At the same time, secure the material well with special levers so that it does not move to the sides.

After that, with one hand, grasp the handle that adjusts the wheel, and support the tile with the other. Then lift the handle up and slowly move it towards you so that the wheel is firmly in contact with the line mowing line, leaving a notch there. Make only one move of the wheel in one direction, as a cut made several times will not make it possible to obtain a high-quality and even cut.

Now you need to break the material. To do this, lower and press the wheel with all force against the tile, then lightly hit the handle. The tile should break evenly. If this does not happen, then you need to hit even harder. You can also put the wheel in the middle, (just do not make a cut), then hit the handle again.

Many people ask the question: how to cut a tile, if you want to make not an even cut, but a pattern with jags? It should be noted that the principle is the same here. It’s just that you will spend a little more time due to the fact that when you apply the cutting line with the wheel, you will have to constantly turn the tile and fasten it using special wings that are provided on the tile cutter. You will have to turn exactly as many times as the notch lines you have marked. And after that, just as described above, you will need to chop off a piece.

Particular attention should also be paid to the processing of the cut edge. Even with a fairly good cutting process, you will have a sharp edge. It is advisable to walk on it with a light sander so that the line is smoother. First, it will make the future tiling process safer. And secondly, as a result, the styling itself will look almost perfect. It is especially important to do such grinding when after cutting there are notches visible to the eye.

So, the process of cutting ceramic tiles using a tile cutter is considered. Working as a manual tile cutter with your own hands is quite easy if you follow the above advice. But as far as porcelain stoneware tiles are concerned, here the tile cutter may not fully help, since it is best to cut such a tile by means of a special device. And for ceramic tiles, the manual version of the tile cutter is optimal.

Preparing the tool for work

Manual tile cutter device

The device of manual tile cutters is the same, there are only a few differences regarding functionality. The following working parts are distinguished:

Base, serving as a platform for the location of all working elements;
Tubular guides along which the carriage with a cutting wheel moves;
The carriage, in addition to the cutting roller, is equipped with a special concave foot for breaking off the cut part of the tile;
Cutting element carbide roller rotating on an axis;
Handle with which the carriage moves.

Classification of manual tile cutters

You can use a hand tool to cut tiles in small quantities. Cutting tiles in large volumes is much more convenient using electric devices.

Based on the design features, the following types of manual tile cutters are distinguished:

Roller. The simplest device in which a carbide roller is used as a cutting element.
Mechanical. The tool is equipped with a rigid carriage, thanks to which you can cut with great precision.
On bearings. The softness of the cutting motion is determined by the presence of bearings on which the bushings are installed.

Tiles can be cut with a hand tool or with an electric tile cutter, angle grinder, wire cutters, glass cutter. This can even be done with a jigsaw, but it is better to use specially designed devices for this, since they allow you to achieve the desired cut quality.

Safety engineering

It is required to know how to safely carry out work on cutting tiles with your own hands, how to avoid possible injuries. There are a number of requirements that must be met:

Inspect the tile cutter for operability and damage.
Check carriage travel. It should move smoothly, without jerking.
The guides must be flat and smooth, without damage.
The cutting blade must have a level surface, free from burrs and dents. It should rotate freely on the axis without creaking or getting stuck.

For safety reasons, use protective plastic goggles and fabric gloves.

Advantages and disadvantages of manual tile cutters

Like any other tool, a manual tile cutter has positive and negative qualities that you should definitely consider when choosing a tile cutting attachment.

Among the advantages are the following characteristics:

Independence from electrical networks;
The ability to use at any temperature and humidity;
Compactness;
Light weight;
Low cost.

The disadvantages include the following qualities:

Does not cope with a large amount of work;
Does not allow cutting a strip of tile less than 1 cm;
Cuts particularly hard material with difficulty.

How to properly cut tiles with different tile cutters?

Every master should know how to cut a tile with a tile cutter so as not to spoil a rather expensive material. Any facing work with ceramic tiles is not complete without trimming, when you need to get fragments of the required size and shape. For a good appearance, it is necessary that the cut is even and neat, and after grouting, a sharp, uneven edge does not stick out.

How to use a manual tile cutter correctly

To use the manual tile cutter correctly, you should be guided by the following technology:

On the face of the tile, use a marker or felt-tip pen to apply a line of marking.
Fix the material with special clamps, while the line should be located exactly under the cutting wheel.
Place the cutting element at the beginning of the markup and press it lightly.
Grasp the handle and gently move the carriage away from you along the cutting line. The pressure must be strong enough to cut the glaze. With great force, it is possible to break the tiles or damage the glazed layer at the cut. Insufficient pressure will not allow breaking the hard surface and then breaking the tile.
Move the handle to the middle, lower the lever (if included), then push it or hit it sharply. In the absence of a lever, the tile is placed on the edge of the table along the mowing line of the cut and broken by pressing on the part protruding from the edge.

If everything was done correctly, the tile should break neatly exactly along the mowing line of the cut. Some models are equipped with a built-in ruler and a rotary base for cutting tiles at an angle of 45 degrees. on:

The device and principle of operation of a stationary manual tile cutter

The most popular tool used to cut ceramic and porcelain tile material is the manual stationary tile cutter. It is widely used by both professional workers and beginners who decide for the first time to independently make repairs in the house.
The tool consists of several parts:

Bed base of the tile cutter;
Carriage equipped with a cutting wheel;
Lever.

Recommended reading: We decorate the walls with wooden panels with our own hands

Not everyone knows how to use a manual tile cutter, but the technology of working on it is extremely simple. Its principle of operation is similar to that of a glass cutter and consists in cutting the glaze of the tile material. During cutting, the tiles must be firmly clamped in the tool body. After a cut is made on the glaze surface, it breaks evenly along the furrow. In order to obtain a perfectly even cut, after clamping the tile in the tool, guides are set along which the cutting line is drawn.

Before starting work with the tool, you need to check its integrity and serviceability, the accessory parts must be without visible damage, and the movement of the cutting wheel is not impeded. When examining a tile cutter, you need to pay attention to the following points:

The roller for cutting tiles must not have potholes and burrs;
Make sure that the cutting wheel is securely attached and has the correct rounded shape;
The carriage of the tile cutter normally moves smoothly, jerking and jamming is unacceptable, as this will lead to an uneven cut or damage to the tile material;
There should be no dirt and debris on the bed and the handle, if there is, be sure to clean the device.

Important! The quality of the tile cut depends on the condition of the working tool and the normal functioning of all its parts. That is why at the end of work, as well as before storing the device, you need to take time to clean and check the tile cutter.

After checking the tool, you can start working. To begin with, markings with a pencil are made along the mowing line of the proposed cut. After that, the tile is placed on the bed so that the markings coincide with the trajectory of the cutting roller. The handle of the tile cutter is moved along the guides under slight pressure. It is very important to create such pressure so that you get a groove, the depth of which will allow you to evenly break the tile, while you cannot overdo it, so as not to crush it at all.

It should always be remembered that the movement to cut the tile material can only be done once. If you re-cut the line, the cut edge will be uneven. After the line of the cut is made, the handle of the tile cutter must be switched into an active state, which allows you to break the tile along the drawn strip with a quick and confident movement. Master tilers with extensive experience can perform this operation with a single clap of the palm, it is enough just to correctly calculate the impact force. It is important to know that the cut-off part of the tile must be at least 1 cm wide, otherwise an even edge will not work.

Recommended Reading: Choosing a Laminate Backing

In order to make it easier to break the tile material, experts recommend pre-soaking it in water. A few drops of machine oil applied to the intended line of the cut will greatly facilitate the process of cutting. The manual stationary tile cutter is recommended for medium volumes of hard ceramics. But experienced craftsmen can easily cope with a large number of tiles. If you have the skills to work with the tool, cutting tiles is not difficult.

Tile cutting process with manual tile cutter

Electric tile cutter

This tool is a kind of circular saw in miniature. Of course, its dimensions are more significant than manual.

Working with an electric tile cutter is quite traumatic, so you need to take care of the availability of such protective equipment as construction glasses and gloves.

Modern electric cutters come complete with a water tank, corner cutter attachments and other accessories. All this fits into a suitcase, along with the device itself. The electric cutter allows you to make an accurate straight cut of the tile, at an angle, as well as grind the end of the tile for angular installation at 45 degrees.

Electric tile cutter with high cutting quality and productivity

The advantage of such a tool is the ability to quickly and efficiently process a large number of tiles, including super-durable porcelain stoneware. In addition, a wet diamond blade is used for cutting. On top, most high-quality models have a special visor that frames the cutting edge. It traps water splashes and dust particles. As a result, the work is carried out without unnecessary dirt.

Using a hand tool

The manual tile cutter does not require any special preparation. It is enough to place it on a firm, level surface. Check the sharpness of the cutter and the fixing of the main elements.

How to cut tiles with a manual tile cutter:

Using a pencil or a marker and a ruler, draw the line for the intended cut on the tile on the front side.
Place the tile on the working surface of the tool.
Place it strictly perpendicular. To do this, you need to rest against the far side and correct the position of the material, according to the marks on its surface. When doing this, be guided by the central line at the base of the tile cutter.
Move the cutter with the handle and place it at the very edge, on the side that is closer to you.
Press down on the handle so that the cutter touches the tile, and it is pressed against the metal part with rollers.
In one clear motion, slide the furrow away from you to rest against the outer edge.
Press down on the handle to break the tile in half along the cut mowing line.

As a result, you will receive two pieces of tiles with an even and neat scrap.

How to use a manual and electric tile cutter

During the renovation, it may be necessary to cut the tiles. But not everyone knows how to use a tile cutter. Without this knowledge, you are unlikely to be able to perform neat tiling according to all the rules. Of course, you can try to do everything intuitively or use another, more familiar tool, but it’s better to spend a few minutes and get acquainted with the basics of using this simple, but very effective tool. So let’s figure out how to cut a tile with a tile cutter.

The tile cutter is an indispensable tool for the tiler

How to work with a manual tile cutter

Ceramic tiles are the most common building material that is widely used both in private house building for decorating bathrooms and kitchens, and for interior decoration of public places. She can be seen in hospitals, shopping centers, administrative buildings. Such popularity of the tile is explained by its strength, durability, economy, ease of maintenance and a variety of choice of colors and patterns.
To make the cladding with ceramic tiles, you need to be able to use a special construction tool, a tile cutter, since there will certainly be a need to trim individual elements, fit in corners or steps, cut diagonally. Sometimes you just need to trim the tiles a little to make them smaller.

What is a tile cutter and why is it needed

What to look for when choosing a tile cutter

Sources:

http://masterok-remonta.ru/instrumenty/kak-polzovatsya-plitkorezom-ruchnym.html
http://1poplitke.ru/instrumenty/rezak/kak-rabotat-plitkorezom.html
http://gurustroykix.ru/strojmaterialy/plitka/instrumenty/dlja-rezki/11785-kak-pravilno-rabotat-ruchnym-plitkorezom.html
http://alsver.ru/rezka/plitki-plitkorezom
http://ilitkeramika.ru/kak-rabotat-plitkorezom-ruchnym.html

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